Ball game board having removable side panels



Oct. 22, 1968 L. H. WEBB, JR 3,406,970

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Lee H. WeM, c/I. BY Marci/.5 L. Ba/es Oct. 22, 1968 3,406,970

BALL GAME BOARD HAVING "REMOVABLE SIDE PANELS L. H WEBB, JR

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United States Patent M 3,406,970 BALL GAME BOARD HAVING REMOVABLE SIDE PANELS Lee H. Webb, Jr., 201 W. 23rd, Odessa, Tex. 79760 Filed Julyl, 1966, Ser. No. 562,162 Claims. (Cl. 273-85) I This invention relates to a ball game device in which a real ball is placed upon a game table and the movement of the ball is controlled by each of the players blowing the ball about the surface of the game table with puffs of air directed from their mouth. The game table is made from a piece of material that maybe hinged along one of its central axis to enable the game table 'to be folded in order to facilitate shipping and storing, Two, four, or eight people may participate in the game. The game is exciting both to youngsters and adults, and is exhilarating andhealthful since it improves ones reflexes while at the same time conditions the lungs. The game rules are simple, and unique means are employed to readily adapt the game to simulate basketball, football, or baseball. Hence, the game attracts all age groups, permits up to eight to play, and may readily be changed fromone field of sport to another. The game is inexpensive to manufacture, and is safe to the participants thereof.

The term indicia s used herein is intended to embrace all written or printed matter contained'or placed on the game board, including numerals, designs, and instructions.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a ball game with means that allow up to eight people to particiate; p Another object of this invention is to provide a ball game board that is attractive in appearance, inexpensive to manufacture, includes any one of a multiplicity of sports, and attracts all age groups.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ball game board that includes means for readily changing the subject matter of the game to any one of a multiplicity of different sports.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game board that is, adapted to various ball game sports, and includes means by which the gamecan readily be modifled to accommodate a varying number of participants.

-A still further object of the present invention is to provide a ball game having upstanding pegs arranged in a particular manner in conjunction with a removable printed sheet of material so as to enable the subject matter of the game to be readily changed from one field of sports. to another. I

The above objects are attained by providing a ball game board that is adapted to be played in conjunction with a light weight ball. The ball is controlled by each of the participants blowing the ball about the board with puffs of air directed from their mouth, in a manner to controllably' pass the 'ball' across an opponents side of the board to thereby attain a score. The board has a multiplicity of pegs arranged thereon in cooperation with a rail and score keeping means that permits, two, four, or eight people to participate. The board is further provided with several different covers, each having indicia thereon that relates to different ball games, Each cover cooperates with the pegs, side rails, and score keeping means so as. to allow 3,406,970 Patented Oct. 22, 1968 any one of a multiplicity of different sports to form the background or theme of the scoring system.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l'shows' a top plan view of a ball game board made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, and wherein the ball game specifically includes the basketball field of sport;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the device seen in FIGURE 1, but with the indicia removed, and additional parts shown operatively placed thereon;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the game board, similar to that seen in FIGURE 1, but with indicia thereon that relates to a baseball game;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a part of the game board made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a game board similar to that shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, but with the subject matter of the game being directed to the sport of football; and

FIGURE '6 shows a flat sheet or cover that is adapted to be placed upon the game board, of FIGURE 2, so as to selectively provide a ball game having indicia thereon such as illustrated in either of the FIGURES l, 3, or 5.

Looking to the details of FIGURE 1 in conjunction with the remaining figures, wherein there is seen a ball game table 10 fabricated from a flat piece of material, such as plastic, plywood, or Masonite to form a first member 12 and a second member 14 joined by hinges or the like along the seam 16. The ball game device 10 may be placed on a flat horizontal surface so as to assume the configuration illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 5. The game board 10 includes four identical sides as indicated by. the numerals 18, 20, 22, and 24. Each of the four sides are separated by mutually. shared corner pins or pegs, such as seen at 26 and 28. Since the four sides of the game board are identical, for all practical purposes, that member of the game board indicated generally by the arrow at numeral 12 will be discussed in detail with the understanding that the opposite half or remaining member of the game board indicated generally by the arrow at numeral 14 is a mirror image of and hence substantially identical to the first side, except, perhaps, for a portion of theindicia thereon.

The game board is provided with a multiplicity of spaced apart upstanding pegs placed about the outer marginal edges thereof, and includes the before mentioned corner pegs 26 and 28, and a series of six pegs arranged to form a goal, one of the pegs of which is indicated by the numeral 30. These six pegs forming the goal will herematter be referred to as the goal pegs. Between the goal pegs and each of the corner pegs are arranged the side pegs 32 and 34. Hence it may be seen that any one side of the board 24 is provided with a pair of corner pegs 26 and 28, a series of six goal pegs such as seen at 30, and a pair of side pegs 32 and 34. Each of the four sides 18, 20, 22, and 24 are therefore provided with similarly arranged pegs with the corner pegs being mutually shared by each adjacent side, all in a manner as amply illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 5. The corner pegs 26 and 28 of FIGURE 1 receive a vertical slot 27 (see FIGURE 4) so as to receive an elongated rectangular upstanding rail 36 in a manner as illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2, and 4. The rail is removably received within the beforementioned slots of the corner pegs and also is sandwiched inbetween the side pegs 32, 34 and the outermost two pegs of the goal.

Each side of the board is provided with a score board 32 which is preferably flat black paint arranged on a white background. The board is provided with erasers 38 and that may be conveniently stored within the goal when the rails 36 are in place. The purpose of the eraser is two fold, one of the purposes obviously being for erasing the score board, and secondly, the eraser maintain the side rail 36 resiliently cushioned to thereby prevent the rail from becoming dislodged during play. Furthermore, the eraser blocks off the oppositely arranged goals associated with the oppositely arranged rails when it is desired to block offopposite sides of the game. Additional purposes of the rail and eraser will become evident as this description progresses.

Looking now to the details of FIGURE 3, wherein there is disclosed a game board generally indicated by the arrow at numeral 100. The game board 100 is identical to the game board 10 of FIGURE 1, except for the. indicia thereon; accordingly, some of the parts of the game board 100 that correspond to like parts of the game board 10 of FIGURE 1 are designated by a numeral prefixed by 1; that is, element 34 of FIGURE 1 corresponds to element 134 of FIGURE 3, and so on, in order to correlate the two game boards.

The indicia placed on game board 100 simulates and relates to the baseball field of sports. A pitchers mound is centrally located in the field or center of the board, and the scoring system indicated by the indicia about the marginal edges carries the general theme or terminology associated with baseball, and includes a wild pitch, home run, cross home plate, interference, and grand slam which the indicated score is earned for blowing the ball between pegs bearing the recited indicia. Since the details of the elements of game table 100 is otherwise identical to that already described in conjunction with FIGURE 1, further explanation may be had by comparing the various like elements of FIGURES 1 and 3.

Looking now to the details of FIGURE 5, wherein there is disclosed a game board generally indicated by the arrow at numeral 200. The game board 200 is identical to the game board 10 of FIGURE 1 and 100 of FIGURE 3, except 'for the indicia thereon; accordingly, some of the parts of the game board 200 that correspond to like parts of the game board 10 are designated by numerals prefixed by 2; that is, element 34 of FIGURE 1 corresponds to element 234 of FIGURE 5, and so on, in order to correlate the different game boards with one another. The indicia placed on the game board 200 simulates and relates to the football field of sports. A kickoff T is centrally located in the field or center of the board, and the scoring system indicated by the indicia about the marginal edges carries the general theme or terminology associated with the field of football, and includes at each side, a field goal, conversion run, conversion kick, safety, and touchdown for which the indicated score is earned for blowing the ball in a manner to cause it to pass between pegs bearing the recited indicia. Since the details of the elements of game table 200 are otherwise identical to that already described in conjunction with FIGURES 1 and 3, further explanation may be had by a comparison of the various like elements of FIGURES 1, 3, and 5.

Looking now to FIGURE 6, wherein there is disclosed, in accordance with one of the teachings of this invention, a fiat sheet of material, preferably made of flexible plastic that can be rolled up and stored in a convenient tube, and having apertures thereon that are spaced apart in aligned relationship to the upstanding pegs of the before described game board of FIGURE 2 to thereby provide the device of FIGURES 1, 3, or 5. The sheet material 50 is provided with sets of apertures such as seen generally at 52, 54,- 56, and 58. The last named sets of apertures each have six holes provided therein so as to receive the before described sets of six upstanding pegs forming each one of the before described goals, such as represented by the peg 30 of FIGURE 1, for example. The corners of the sheet material are likewise each apertured as indicated by the numeral 60 so as to receive each one of the corner pegs therethrough; such a peg is indicated by numeral 28 in FIGURE 1. The sheet is further apertured between the set of apertures forming each goal and each corner in a manner illustrated by numerals 62 and 64 so as to receive the corresponding pegs located between the beforedescribed pegs forming the goal and the before described pegs forming the corner in a manner as illustrated by numerals 32 and 34 in FIGURE 1.

The sheet of material 50 is adapted to be superimposed upon the board of FIGURE 2 by aligning each of the upstanding pegs of the board with each of the apertures formed in the flat sheet so as to provide an attractive removable top surface for the board of FIGURE 2. After the flat sheet 50 is suitably superimposed upon the board of FIGURE 2, the side rails 36 and erasers 40 may then be placed in their proper position, if desired.

The fiat sheet of material disclosed in FIGURE 6 may be provided with indicia such as illustrated in either FIG- URES l, 3, or 5. Accordingly, the game board of FIG- URE 2 in conjunction with three of the fiat sheets of FIGURE 6 may form a ball game board assembly with which either basketball, baseball, or football may be selectively played by merely choosing the appropriate flat sheet 50 hearing the desired indicia thereon that is placed upon the board. It is contemplated that the game board of FIGURE 2 may be marketed with the three differently printed fiat sheets 50 and wherein one of the flat sheets 50 bears the basketball indicia of FIGURE 1, another the baseball indicia of FIGURE 3, and the third bears the football indicia of FIGURE 5 impressed thereon. Hence, regardless of the sport one may be interested in, he need purchase only one game board assembly in order to indulge in play in several different fields of sport.

The sheet 50 is preferably of a thickness that will lie fiat down in face to face relationship with the top surface of the game board of FIGURE 2. The sheet may be fabricated from a synthetic resin plastic such as polyethylene and suitably imprinted by the silk screen process with attractive indicia such as above disclosed in FIGURES 1, 3, or 5. Various portions of the subject matter may be in different colors to provide an artistic and functional product that is attractive in appearance.

In carrying the invention into practice, the game board may be provided with the indicia of either FIGURES 1, 3, or 5 directly painted onto the surface thereof. Alternatively, the invention may also be carried into practice by providing the game board of FIGURE 2 with the before discussed novel sheet of material 50 of FIGURE 6 so as to attain a configuration as illustrated in either FIGURES 1, 3, or 5. Regardless of the expedient employed, the ball game of FIGURES 1, 3, or 5 may be played by either two, four, or eight contestants. Where only two contestants are playing, the desired sheet of plastic is held in place on the board by side rails placed in the before mentioned slots provided by the corner post, and the erasers which are placed in the two opposite goals. When four or eight contestants are playing, the rails and erasers are removed. A light Weight plastic ball, such as a common table tennis ball, is placed in the circle located in the center of the board.

All of the contestants commence blowing simultaneously with the object in mind of blowing the ball through the designated areas on the opponents side, thus scoring the designated points in accordance with the indicia on the board. The team first to make twenty-one points wins the game.

In carrying the invention into practice, utilizing the embodiment of FIGURE 1, the ball is placed inside the Jump Circle located in the center of the court and all of the contestants commence blowing at the same time. The object of the game is to blow the ball through the marked goals on the opponents side to score the indicated points.

Since each team is provided with its individual score board 32, a running total of points is maintained, preferably using chalk to write on'the score board. Should the ball bounce oif the playing court, it is again placed in the jump circle and the play restarted. Should the ball be touched or blocked by the hands or body of one of the contestant, the opposite team -(or side) receives one free blow. The free blow is accomplished by placing the ball on the indicated free blow line depression as indicated on each side of the game board. Should a team blow the ball through the opposite sides foul zone, the opponent receives one free blow chance. When one team is taking its free blow, opposing teams do not blow in opposition.

In carrying the invention into practice utilizing the embodiment of FIGURE 3, the baseball game can likewise be played by either two, four, or eight contestants by following the same described procedure set forth in conjunction with the before described basketball game. The ball is placed inside the Pitchers Mound that is located in the center of the field, and all contestants commence blowing at the same time. The object of the game is to blow the ball through the marked goals of the opponents side. Each team is provided with its own score board in order to keep a running total of points scored by the different teams. Should the ball bounce olf the playing field, the ball is replaced on the pitchers mound and the play restarted. Should the ball be touched or blocked by the body of the opponents, the opposite team (or side) receives one free blow chance.

Should a team blow the ball through the opponents side indicated interferance zone, the opponent receives one free blow chance. The team receiving the free blow chance places the ball in the before described manner at the free blow line.

The game illustrated by the embodiment of FIGURE 5 is carried out in the spirit of a football game, and may be played by two, four, or eight contestants. Where only two contestants indulge in playing, the side rails must be attached to the oppposite sides 222, 224 in the before described manner, thus leaving two opposed sides for the two players. The ball is placed inside the centrally located kickoff T and all the contestants commence blowing simultaneously. The object of the game is for each contestant to blow the ball through the marked goals on the opposite teams side, scoring the designated points. The winning contestant is the first to accumulate twenty-one points in the game.

Each team has its own score board and a running total of points is accumulated. Should the ball bounce off the playing field, the ball is again placed back into the kickoff T and the play restarted. Should the ball be touched or blocked by a contestants hands or body, the opposite contestant or team may receive one free blow. The team receiving the free blow places the ball in the hole designated free blow line and attempts to blow the ball across the opponents side, thus possibly scoring. Should the ball strike one of the pegs and bounce back onto the field, the game immediately resumes by all participants commencing blowing.

Hence, it may be seen, that by clever manipulation of ones mouth and lungs, the ball may be skillfully controlled in a manner that provides amusement not only to the participants, but also the spectators. The game is realistic in that an actual ball is used, while at the same time, the game is beneficial and exhilarating to the participants.

While I have shown and described what I believe to be several preferred forms of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the broad scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A ball game adapted to be played in combination with a ball that is controlled by blowing the ball about with puffs of air directed from the mouth, and comprising:

a flat rectangular board lying in a horizontal plane;

spaced apart pegs arranged about the outer marginal edges of said board and defining sides with each side including a goal, two corners, and side pegs between said goal and said corner;

opposite pairs of said corner pegs having means forming a longitudinal slot therein with the slots of each pair of pegs facing each other;

an elongated upstanding rail having depending ends adapted to removably engage said slots while being received in-between said side pegs and the outermost pegs forming the goal, whereby;

said rail maybe removably attached to a pair of opposite sides of said board; and

means centrally located on said board for receiving the ball at the start of the play.

2. The ball game of claim 1 wherein the board is provided with a resilient eraser removably received Within said goal so as to abut against said rail to thereby maintain said rail in proper position with respect to said pegs, and to fill the goal with which it is associated, in order to block out opposite sides of the game.

3. The ball game of claim 1, wherein the game board surface is provided with indicia simulating a basketball game and wherein a portion of said pegs are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the ball to thereby allow the ball to pass between adjacent pegs, with said adjacent pegs being provided with indicia therebetween to thereby provide a means of scoring.

4. The ball game of claim 1, wherein the game board surface is provided with indicia simulating a baseball game, and wherein a portion of said pegs are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the ball to thereby allow the ball to pass between adjacent pegs, with said adjacent pegs being provided with indicia therebetween so as to provide a means of scoring.

5. The ball game of claim 1, wherein the game board surface is provided with indicia simulating a football game and wherein a portion of said pegs are spaced apart a distance greater than the daimeter of the ball to thereby allow the ball to pass between adjacent pegs, with said adjacent pegs being provided with indicia therebetween so as to provide a means of scoring.

6. The ball game of claim 1, and further including a removable cover sheet, and wherein the recited indicia is placed upon said cover sheet;

said cover sheet further having means forming apertures therein that cooperate with and receive said pegs therethrough, whereby;

said board may be provided with said removable cover sheet to thereby supply the game board with one of a multiplicity of ball games by changing said cover sheet to the desired ball game.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the cover sheet is provided with indicia at each side thereof;

said indicia including the inscription free throw,"

tech foul, two-handed dunk, field goal, and foul, respectively, between said corner post and side peg, between said peg and goal, within said goal, between said goal and a second said side peg, and between the last recited peg and a second said corner peg, respectively;

and a jump circle centrally located on the board.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said cover sheet is provided with indicia relating to a baseball game.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein said cover sheet is provided with indicia relating to a football game.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein said cover sheet is made of plastic of a thickness that may be suitably formed into a roll for storage thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 568,611 9/1896 Gregson 273-119 842,096 1/1907 Hughes 273-85 860,924 7/1907 Lee 273-119 8 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,742 2/1890 Great Britain. 9,386 3/1895 Great Britain. 6,663 3/1903 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

P. E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BALL GAME ADAPTED TO BE PLAYED IN COMBINATION WITH A BALL THAT IS CONTROLLED BY BLOWING THE BALL ABOUT WITH PUFFS OF AIR DIRECTED FROM THE MOUTH, AND COMPRISING: A FLAT RECTANGULAR BOARD FLYING IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE; SPACED APART PEGS ARRANGED ABOUT THE OUTER MARGINAL EDGES OF SAID BOARD AND DEFINING SIDES WITH EACH SIDE INCLUDING A GOAL, TWO CORNERS, AND SIDE PEGS BETWEEN SAID GOAL AND SAID CORNER; OPPOSITE PAIRS OF SAID CORNER PEGS HAVING MEANS FORMING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT THEREIN WITH THE SLOTS OF EACH PAIR OF PEGS FACING EACH OTHER; AN ELONGATED UPSTANDING RAIL HAVING DEPENDING ENDS ADAPTED TO REMOVABLY ENGAGE SAID SLOTS WHILE BEING RECEIVED IN-BETWEEN SAID SIDE PEGS AND THE OUTERMOST PEGS FORMING THE GOAL, WHEREBY; SAID RAIL MAY BE REMOVABLY ATTACHED TO A PAIR OF OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BOARD; AND MEANS CENTRALLY LOCATED ON SAID BOARD FOR RECEIVING THE BALL AT THE START OF THE PLAY. 